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The Maltese Falcon (Dashiell Hammett): Sam Spade acquires a client, loses a partner, and plays all ends off the middle. The narrative "voice" is fascinating - it's entirely exterior. ( And eventually get around to massive spoilers, ) In short, cool stuff. (7.26)

The Dispossessed (Ursula K. Le Guin): A scientist from a desert moon colonized by anarchists visits the stately, capitalist homeworld. This is Le Guin at the top of her game - the worldbuilding is great, the plot resonates with the theme, the didactic prose fits with the subject under examination. I'm still very glad that I had my filters set for Le Guin, but at least the prose and attitude didn't throw me out for once. Both societies shown are sufficiently carefully crafted that I'm willing to suspend disbelief - neither is perfect, and both are shown at their stress-points, which is where interesting stories generally happen. The first chapter was a struggle, but after that I was in the groove and loved it, especially once I noticed the plot enacting Odo's statement about departures and returns. It's been a while since a science fiction novel made my brain glow with such cerebral delight, so I'm going to suggest everyone set their reading glasses for Le Guin and read it. (7.31)

Posted and backdated August 4th, 2005